The Day Before Their Wedding

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

[ARIC] Tomorrow was the day. It felt strange and surreal, but it wasn't the reason why he was panicking. Something had always felt missing ever since Edward announced that he and Alexandria would have to be wed far sooner than they expected. He had had plans for something and realized he may have little time to fulfill it. That "missing thing" was what he had rushed to town for, and what he was returning with just this evening. It was still fairly early, and the sun would be descending within the hour, as he made his way inside to brush off the cold. He was a little worried, though, because it felt as though he hadn't seen much of Alexandria in the last two days, ever since that particular...situation happened. But he wouldn't be deterred, determined to bring a smile to her face (he hoped), and would kindly ask one of the guards to send his request for the queen to meet him in the library. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] Tomorrow. Their wedding was tomorrow. She and Cassandra had made all the plans, and the castle staff were working to make sure everything was in order. Alexandria had nothing left to do besides get herself ready. So when she received the message that Aric wished to see her in the library, she suddenly felt her stomach and heart flutter with nervousness. She wasn't entirely sure why, other than she was still feeling embarrassed and ashamed for how she had reacted to his touch.
Her little secret about the library being their reception place, wouldn't work now, of course, because he had already made plans on being there to see her. Unless they hadn't set up yet.
So she had fixed her hair and placed some of the oils Cassandra had given her and then left her room, quietly making her way down the halls and towards the library. A deep breath was drawn in before she opened the door and stepped inside, sapphire eyes searching the room for Aric. [d]

[ARIC] There were tables already set up, but there wasn't much else. So, being that he had everything else on his mind, he didn't think anything of it. But he was standing there in the middle of the large room when he heard the door open; turning around to find her there. A smile stretched his face immediately and he slowly made his way towards her. "Apparently I'm not supposed to be alone with you..." Some stupid wedding superstition, his cousin claimed. Naturally he wasn't listening and didn't believe in any of that. Not to mention, he wouldn't linger very long unless she wanted him to. "Thank you...for meeting me here." They hadn't spoken much since the other morning, and on top of everything else, he wanted to make sure she was alright. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] His smile was contagious, because as soon as she saw it, she couldn't help the smile that pulled at her own lips. She walked towards him and placed a hand on his chest, leaning in to kiss him gently. She took a step back and laughed softly, shaking her head. "I have had enough misfortunes in my life to believe in and worry about silly superstitions..." She smirked slightly and nodded to him. "Of course. Is everything alright?" She wondered why he'd ask her to meet her here, of all places in the castle. They had spent a lot of time in her chambers, and she was suddenly wondering if he did not wish to meet her there because of what happened the other morning. [d]

[ARIC] There came a gentle sigh of happy relief when she kissed him, only hating that it had been brief. But that smile of hers made his heart beat erratically; perhaps everything was alright between them, even if they managed to part that morning on a good note. Admiring her lovely face, he cupped her cheek while he nodded, "Everything's fine. I just realized you were missing something." Dark eyes flickered to a particular spot of the library, the one she had apparently eyed just the day before while wedding planning. "It all started here," he said, turning his attention back to her. "So I only thought it fitting to be here now." Aric drew her closer, spinning her around gracefully before drawing her back against his chest; his arms wrapping around her from behind. "All of this had been chosen for us, but I can't help but wonder what may have happened if we met under different circumstances." Aric was dragging this along on purpose, but he was also trying to explain. Pressing his face against the side of her own, he took one of her small hands into his. She'd feel something round and metal resting within her palm. "And I can't help but wonder..." his whispered words at her ear trailed off for but a moment. "If you would have said yes if I had asked." Though, in a way, he supposed he was asking. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] It was odd how they were constantly worrying something was wrong between them, or that the other was upset, when it never seemed to be the case at all. Perhaps they needed to work on their communication a little more. Alexandria wanted to talk with Aric about what had happened, just to get that proverbial elephant out of the room. But that would come later. Her sapphire eyes stared into his, brows furrowed slightly in confusion. She was missing something? She hardly thought so. Everything she needed was right in front of her right now. “It did,” her lips pulled into a warm smile as her eyes wandered from him and to that very spot where they had swayed to his gentle humming. Where they had almost kissed for the first time, had that servant not entered the room to tend to the fire. Their own fire had ignited that night, and it had been unable to be stopped ever since. He had her gaze back as he mentioned that it was fitting for them to be here now, and she looked at him curiously. What was he up to? Before she could say anything, he was spinning her around holding her against him. Her hands rested on his forearms, as if trying to tighten his embrace around her. She felt warm and safe in his arms--a feeling she had not felt in quite some time. The smile she wore would be hard to remove from her lips as she listened to him. Alexandria had often wondered if they had met under different circumstances, if they would still be standing here in this very moment. They hadn’t had a choice--but it ended up being a perfect one for the both of them.
He was removing her hand from his arm and opening it to place that metal object into her palm. Her gaze fell to look down at their hands, seeing the ring there. She suddenly knew what he was doing. A soft gasp escaped her at the sight of the ring. It was absolutely stunning and perfect--because he had picked it out for her. Her eyes were beginning to tear up as he whispered to her, asking her, in a way, to marry him, as if they did have a choice. She smiled softly, silent for a moment as she stared down at the ring until she moved her other hand from his arm and took the ring between her fingers. Carefully, she slid it onto her ring finger before she turned to face him. A couple tears escaped her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. She tried to speak, but she was slightly choked up. Her hand moved to touch his face, her thumb brushing along his jawline, and she once again was staring into his eyes. When she did speak, she was only able to release a whisper. “Yes. I would have.” She leaned into him and pressed her lips into his in a deep and passionate kiss. A kiss that would hopefully speak for her in how happy he had made her. How happy she would be to be his wife. [d]

[ARIC] Communication was always a must, but in the very least, perhaps it was good they both seemed to be so concerned about the other. Even before her sudden fright the other morning, Aric had always worried that she wasn't happy, that she was overly troubled. Being a queen, you were always going to have stresses, but he didn't know how to express enough that, being by her side, he could alleviate some of it. Perhaps he would just have to say it every day for as long as he lived. And he'd be fine with that. She did not need to carry every single burden upon her shoulders. He held her there against him, wishing against everything that they did have the luxury of choice...but they didn't. They never had. But maybe they could pretend, because, hadn't it worked out in the end? Things were still shaky, he knew, but only time would heal those wounds of the past. And they could do it together. As she turned to face him, his thumb caught those rolling tears before her words made him smile. He would have said more, perhaps literally asked, but she was already answering with a kiss, and one he was very compliant to return. There was the softest sigh of relief while arms wrapped around her, securing her there against him in an embrace he didn't wish to ever release from. Still, he broke from that kiss just enough to express everything just a little further with words; his forehead against her. "I love you, Alexandria. I never thought it possible for me to feel anything again, but you've brought me back to life...and I'll do everything it takes to keep you happy." [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] It would perhaps take a while for Alexandria to fully grasp onto the fact that Aric was there to help take on some of that burden on her shoulders. She just had gotten used to being on her own. Perhaps he would need to continuously remind her that he was there to help her. Sometimes Alexandria forgot that they were being forced to marry. That they didn't have a choice. It had worked out in theory favor, indeed, so it felt like it had been their choice all along. They would heal together and grow stronger. Together. As their lips parted, she looked back into his eyes, but only briefly, as he was pulling her into another embrace. She rested her head against his chest, and could hear his heart beating until his voice echoed in his chest. To hear him say I love you made her heart flutter. It seemed surreal to her. All of his words were true about how she felt with him. He was the one who saved her life and helped her feel again, when she had lost all hope for it. She took his hand in hers and kissed it softly, allowing a moment of silence to linger amongst them. She slowly lifted her head and gaze to find his eyes again. "I hope to do the same for you... To make you remain happy.. I hope I will never disappoint you. In any way." Though she felt she already had the previous morning. [d]

[ARIC] He felt good about this, and Aric didn't feel particularly happy about many things for awhile. Aralore had been a new start for him, whether or not he argued against it until he was red in the face. Perhaps, in a way, he was glad that Edward moved up this wedding...despite the entire castle being flustered over it. They could've shared their vows in front of a single witness and he wouldn't have cared. All the festivities weren't that important to him, but he wouldn't say so. His face softened at her words, drawing one of her hands between both of his and holding it to his chest. There was something about her last words that bothered him, and maybe his own mind was once again drifting back to the other morning. "You haven't and will not disappoint me...in any way." He knew he could say this over and over again, but it would take her awhile to understand this. And Aric understood this because he would still have those lingering doubts in his mind, afraid of doing something wrong, making her unhappy, whatever the case. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] Her eyes remained on his as he held her hand to his chest and spoke, almost as if he knew what was on her mind. She smiled at his words, happy to hear him say this, but she still couldn't help that nagging feeling that she had somehow ruined things for their intimacy, at least. She leaned into him and kissed him gently before taking a step back from him, though her hand remained in his. She lifted her free hand to glance at the ring on her finger, and her smile widened. "This is such a beautiful ring... Thank you.." Her gaze returned to him. "I love you. " [d]

[ARIC] If he was worried about it, he didn't appear to be. Honestly, for once in his life, he didn't seem to be worrying about much of anything. And that was so wonderfully strange. After she kissed him once more and drew back, his own gaze fell to that sapphire ring. He had seen it and thought of her; those blue eyes far more beautiful than any glinting jewel, though. His grin turned a little lopsided now when she returned his affections. "Well, I suppose that's good... considering the wedding is tomorrow," he joked. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] Her own grin widened at his comment, causing her to even let a laugh escape. Initially she hadn't expected to fall in love with him by their wedding, even if it wasn't rushed like it was now. She nodded to him, her laugh nearly lingering in her smile. "Yes, I suppose that's a good thing." She pulled onto his hand so he would move close to her again. "Will you come for a walk with me? I want to show you something." Now she had one of his hands in both of hers and she was walking backwards, trying to pull him along. "Actually...maybe a couple of things." Perhaps the queen had a gift for her future husband as well. [d].

[ARIC] That laugh. It could be infectious and why he would strive to make sure that she laughed at least once every day. It wasn't normally in his nature to be this sappy, but his mood had drastically improved after so long of him wallowing in the darkness. He never wanted any of this again...and now, he realized, he'd be lost without it. Without her. His fingers laced between her own as she tugged him along. She wouldn't have to make much of an effort, because was basically automatic that his feet simply followed her. He was grinning again. "A couple of things? And what might they be?" Or was he supposed to simply wait? To be truthful, he was completely alright with just walking, but his curiosity was piqued. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] As he began to follow her, she turned to face forward, keeping his hand in her own. A grin never left her lips and she nodded to him. "Yes. And you will see." She led him out of the library and down a few hallways until she came to a door. She stood in front of it and faced him, her eyes finding his for a brief moment, and she squeezed his hand before she'd push the door open and pull him inside with her. The room was small and filled with various things, looking like perhaps it had been someone's study before. Truthfully though, it was not. At least not anymore. She let go of his hand and moved away from him to the other side of the room where there was a fireplace. Ontop the mantle was a sheathed sword. Alexandria reached for it and carefully pulled it down. The sheath alone was magnificently beautiful with blue and silver tinted metal. She stepped back over to him, carrying the sword horizontally in both hands and she offered it up to him. "This was my father's sword. I want you to have it. It belongs to the King of Aralore." She looked at him, a serious expression on her face. If he tried to deny taking it from her, she wouldn't take no for an answer. And maybe her expression showed that. [d]

[ARIC] His curiosity rose when they arrived at a door he did not recognize. Aric wouldn't have had reason to go inside, but the moment they did, his eyes were wandering about the entire room, at the trinkets that didn't seem to have been touched in months, or perhaps years. But his attention followed her to the cold fireplace while she reached for the weapon that had been quietly resting there...and handed it to him. His hands held it delicately, as though he feared the intricately designed piece of steel would break in half. "This is beautiful..." he murmured, carefully unsheathing the blade halfway to quickly inspect it. Then, she was telling him it was her father's, and that it was his now. "Alexandria, I-" he began, but when his gaze lifted to her own, he saw the expression on her face. He watched her for the longest moment, mouth parting while his mind tried to find the words to offer her, that he still felt unworthy to even be holding it. It was a precious item, and a precious gift as well. He reached over, fingers softly filtering through her hair at the back of her neck to draw her in. A kiss was placed atop her head, his voice softly muffled, "Thank you." It was hard to express the gratitude he felt, but his tone may have already done it for him. It meant more to him that she trusted him with such an heirloom than much of anything else. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] She knew Aric would try to protest her giving the sword to him. Her eyes watched him as he inspected the sword and commented on its beauty. It truly was. The hilt nearly matched the blue and silver sheath, with scrollwork designs that ran all along the blade. It was a sword that had survived through many generations in her family, and it seemed the perfect time to give it to him. She smiled as Aric thanked her, seemingly able to read her expression that he best not refuse her gift.
She leaned into him as he drew her in and kissed her head. "You're welcome," she replied softly before she reluctantly pulled away from him and glanced around the room. "This was his secret study..." She started to explain. "He never had a chance to bring the kingdom to this Island, though.. But supposedly he would come here to hide things regarding that vial I told you about... and he slowly worked on building this place up so that he could move them..." She wandered around the room, running her fingers along dusty bookshelves, the desk, before she stopped and turned to him.

Alexandria had been the one to move her kingdom here, to try and escape Saelis and start anew. But the plan had horribly backfired when they captured someone who had stayed behind and tortured them for answers. Somehow Saelis had managed to find them, and they haven't been left alone since. "You are welcome to look through, take, keep anything in this room, if you want to know more about everything... I will leave you the key. I just ask that you tell no one else... At least not without running it by me first.." She was doing her best to prove to him that she was now putting all of her trust in him. And that took so much for her to do. [d]

[ARIC] To be given access to such a forgotten room may not have seemed like much to just anyone, but to him, it meant everything. While Alexandria explained what this study was, the reasons for it, that it was a secret, he understood her reasonings even more for sharing it with him. What made him happy was that it was blatantly clear just how much she was entrusting him with...and her trust was one of the most important things to him. "Thank you," he said again, the awe still in his voice. "No one else will know." No one else really needed to know, at least not yet. Turning, he idly wandered around, picking up a random book before placing it back down. A small cloud of dust billowed up upon impact, and chuckled lowly. "This really does mean a lot," he added, regarding her with a smile. "Maybe the first thing I do is clean it up for you. You'll be needing it more once Aralore is fully back up on its feet." It'd also give her to go to and unwind if she needed it, where no one else knew about. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] Sapphire eyes watched Aric as he walked around the room. After everything they had already been through together, she knew she needed (and could) trust him. Simply saying she trusted him, though, wasn't enough to prove it. This was the best way she could tell him that now. So he would know just how much she was putting her trust in him now. Her gaze shifted around the room and she laughed at his comment about cleaning the room up. It did need a good cleaning. It would be nice to get some use out of the room, to getaway when she needed to unwind. Or perhaps a place for them to sneak away for a private moment? Alexandria walked over to where he was, and she took his hand again, interlocking her fingers with his. "I have one other thing for you..." She smiled and was pulling him towards the door again. After they'd leave the room, Alexandria led him down the halls, up the staircase and down several other halls until they were at her room. She opened the door and pulled him inside, shutting the door after them. She led him to a chair and urged him to sit before she walked off in search of something in her desk. [d]

[ARIC] Perhaps, in a few days, he would begin to do just that. Things were about to get very busy, he imagined, with the alliance officially formed. His brother would still nag and expect things to be done in a timely fashion, and Aric was going to make it his mission to ensure tasks were being done as quickly as they could be without tiring out their workers. Because that would get them nowhere, which Edward didn't seem to readily realize. As she took his hand, brows lifted up in surprise, "Another thing? I'm kind of beginning to think that ring isn't adequate enough...you're beginning to spoil me." But he really didn't have the chance to question or argue as she was pulling him right back out from that study, leading her back towards her room. Although there was mild confusion on his face, he sat there in silence and simply waited. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] She laughed at his comment about her spoiling him. She hardly felt like she was. "Oh please," she waved his comment off and shook her head. "The ring is more than adequate enough." She would look at him for a moment, before speaking again. "You have done so much for Aralore.... For me... I wish I could give you the world..." She watched him a moment longer before she was searching through her desk until she found the item she was looking for. Soft footsteps brought her back to where Aric sat. She leaned down and planted a quick kiss to his cheek before she crouched down beside him, so she was at his height, slightly lower as he sat there. "It seems like we had similar ideas for tonight..." She started a soft smile on her face before she took one of his hands in her own, opening his fingers so his palm was exposed. "Though maybe your speech was a lot nicer than mine ever could... But it would simply make me completely happy..." She placed a simple, round metal object into the palm of his hand. The metal it was made of looked very similar to the sword she had given him, because it had been created using the same steal. "If you would agree to be my husband. My king... And marry me. Tomorrow..." She grinned and looked at him, into his eyes. Though it was not custom for the lady of the relationship to ask the man to marry her, she simply wanted him to know that she wanted him in her life, and that as much as Aric had felt he did not belong there, had been out of place. He was not. He was where he belonged, at least in her eyes. And his place was by her side, so long as he agreed. [d](edited)

[ARIC] You have already given me the world he wanted to say as she found what she had been looking for. He watched her as she crouched there, explaining what this new and third gift suddenly was. Alexandria slyly did exactly as he had, placing something round and cold within the palm of his hand, and he was already chuckling softly in knowing before eyeing the ring she had given him. He immediately recognized the craftsmanship, so similar to the sword that now lay across the table beside him. He clutched it tightly within his hand before leaning forward, elbows resting upon his thighs as he inched his face closer to her. There was a contemplative expression on his features then, "I'm not sure," he began. "Let me think on it." It was an outright lie, and she would know it, because that genuine smile turned into a rather cheeky grin suddenly. It wasn't every day that he teased innocently like this, so his mood had certainly improved. But before she could do or say much in the matter, he leaned forward just a little bit more so that he could kiss her lips briefly. "You, Alexandria, are the whole world. It is all I need." [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] She gasped at his response, playing along as if she couldn't believe he was turning her down. But she knew from his tone and his smile that he was kidding, and so she laughed afterwards. "Ok... I suppose I can give you until tomorrow to decide." She grinned and kissed him back, though as he pulled away, she opened her eyes to look at him. She had wanted more of a kiss than that. But instead, he was speaking again. You, Alexandria, are the whole world. It is all I need. Her heart fluttered then and she couldn't help it as her grin only widened. She leaned an elbow against the table and rested her head against it, looking up at him lovingly. Her free hand reached for his again and she raised it to her lips, pressing a soft kiss to his knuckles. She stood then, but not for long, because she moved to sit on his lap, much like he had pulled her into it while he was drunk. Both her hands took hold of his face and she leaned down, kissing him deep and passionately. [d]

[ARIC] He very much liked when he was happy and joking, and now he had reasons to be that way. Well, one particular in the very least, and she was staring up at him with those beautiful blue eyes. The smile remained on his face as she went along with his somewhat silly joke, even laughing at the idiocy of it. It may have been dull, but it got the job done. Soon, she was rising up, only sit herself across his lap, making him vaguely remember this had happened once before. He could only assume it had been when he was inebriated, and he may have paled to think if he had possibly been crude and not gentlemanly about it. But he hadn't much time to assume while she took his face into her hands and kissed him deeply. It was instinctive to lovingly wrap his arms around her, securing there as she got the kiss she had just been wishing for seconds ago. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] She nearly melted into him as his arms wrapped around her and he kissed her back. Why had they denied this for so long? She loved every single kiss they shared, no matter how small or how passionate it became. In his kiss, she forgot everything that surrounded her and all that mattered was him. Her fingers pressed into his back as she embraced him and deepened that kiss between them, her tongue once again searching for his. She'd kiss him for a long, loving moment before reluctantly pulling away from him, her forehead pressing against his own as she caught her breath. She looked into his eyes and whispered quietly. "Can we talk about something?" [d]

[ARIC] He'd stay there all night and forever if he could. In ways, he tried not to let her nearness, the way she kissed him deeply affect him too far...but it was difficult. It had been very difficult for quite a long time now, and knowing what she had gone through, what had happened the other morning, he was worried of overstepping again. Perhaps any other husband-to-be would be angry, but he understood. He would rather her be safe and happy and not worried about any of it. Alexandria had been through something traumatic and it was nothing to gloss over. Even still, his fingers kneaded along her spine, nearly sighing into her mouth as she deepened their kiss; and this close, he could smell something on her skin, a scent he'd never picked up on and it was lulling him further. It was perhaps a good thing that she broke their lips apart, asking him a question that he only vaguely heard. "Hm?" he replied, slowly opening his own eyes to peer at her. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] She kept her forehead pressed against his and looked into his eyes once he opened them. A small sigh left her lips and she took hold of his face with both her hands so she stole his full attention. She sat up a bit straighter, but did not move off his lap and she spoke silently and with a tone of seriousness. "I want to talk about the other morning...." She kept her gaze on him and frowned slightly. "I have not been with any other man since back then...And all I ever felt then was pain and abuse.. Never anything else.. I suppose I have not gotten close to anyone else to ... try....? You have been the first..." She closed her eyes and leaned forward, pressing her forehead against his. She wanted to open up and tell him everything on her mind, regardless of how foolish it might sound to him. But it was taking a lot for her to do so. She whispered quietly to him. "And I've wanted to feel your touch... Feel you..." She gave him the briefest of a kiss before she'd continue. "I just was not expecting it, and it took me by surprise. The memories of being abused came flooding back in my mind and made me feel like I was back there... And I don't know why because you have done nothing wrong or harmful to me. That was the first time I ever felt a bit of pleasure from another man's hand..." She rubbed his face with her thumb and stared into his eyes. "I don't want you to forever be afraid of doing that to me... Afraid to touch me... To do things normal husbands and wives do..." She leaned forward again and pressed her lips back into his, a bit longer this time, but when she pulled away, she kept her face close to his and whispered. "I want to try again. Right now..." She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "I just might need you to help me through it..." She opened her eyes and looked back into his, watching him, hoping he wouldn't laugh or try to talk her out of it. She did not want to fear him, or his touch. She trusted him with all of her heart. [d]

[ARIC] A part of him knew what she was about to say. He could read it on her face. There was always an unsureness in her eyes after something happened, and it remained until she could feel better about it. The only thing that went wrong was that morning after he drank half a bottle of whiskey. So, when she indeed verified what he was thinking, he remained quiet throughout the whole thing. There were plenty of times where he wanted to stop her, to tell her it was alright, that he understood, that he wasn't mad at all...but he didn't. Because, yes, he was a little afraid to touch her in certain ways, only because he did not wish to see that horror on her face again. He did not want her to think back on those times that plagued her. She'd known nothing but abuse, she said, and that nearly killed him. "Alexandria-" Her name was a fleeting whisper before she caught his mouth in another kiss. Despite everything she said, he was still holding back, still not thinking it was time...but when she spoke after, she was taking him completely by surprise; a soft wariness still in his eyes. One of his hands reached up, slipping into the hair at the nape of her neck. "Do not force this," he said, wanting her to understand that he wasn't, in any way, upset with her. "I will wait." It was in no way a denial. How could it be while he held her close still, his thumb brushing the side of her neck? [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] She stared at him as he tried to assure her not to force this and that he would wait. She bit the inside of her lip, not knowing what to say to him, then. There had been so much built up tension between the two of them since that night in the library, only to finally allow each other in since after she had been wounded. Now there was a different kind of tension between them, each and every time they kissed. She frowned slightly, her eyes never moving away from his. Quietly, she spoke. "I am not intending to force anything... What if I do not wish to wait any longer?" She leaned forward and rested her forehead against his again. She silently sat there, thinking to herself. Part of her knew he was right, and that they should wait. But the other part of her wanted him more than anything. The way he looked at her, held her... It was drawing her into him and making it harder and harder to resist that desire. [d]

[ARIC] It was a wonder how he was able to keep his resolve for this long. Maybe he was able to look passed his own needs to realize how dire the situation at hand was, as not many should. One that she was trying to alleviate while he was still concerned about making it all the more worse. It was such a fluctuation of thoughts and emotions, and it was difficult to think straight while she remained there so close, arguing with him. Although their wedding was inevitable (if Aralore wanted the Tresterian resources), he felt like this should wait until at least tomorrow night. In a way, he worried it was wrong but the queen herself didn't care. She was asking for it. There was a soft sigh as he closed his eyes, feeling her head against his and wrapping him further into the warmth and scent of her. His jaw was clenching, the conflict eating away at him, pushing back no matter how much he tried to fight it. Suddenly, he was urging her off of his lap as the logical part of his brain seemed to have won out...but his hand still gripped her forearm, he still didn't look at her. He still didn't know what to do. Then, against his better judgement, he was pulling her back down. However, this time, she was drawn in to straddle his lap, and his mouth slanted hard against hers. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] Despite being forced into marriage, Alexandria felt that they had been able to take control over their own destiny and find their love for one another. Maybe if it had been different, she would have gone the more traditional route and felt necessary to wait for their marriage. But nothing about any of this--about them, was traditional or normal. So she didn't feel wrong about any of it--she wanted to let go of that control they held and just give in to whatever this was between them. Edward may be able to tell them when to marry..but he had no control over their feelings and love for one another. Then came that sigh from Aric's lips, and he was urging her out of his lap. Her heart suddenly sank and she worried he was becoming frustrated or upset with her. She was pushing him, and he was fighting back to save her own resolve and to avoid what had happened the first time he tried to advance things with her. And while she admired and appreciated that about him, she felt he wasn't listening or understanding her and that she didn't want him to worry about touching her. She wanted to get over it and she would try her best to trust him with this. But how could she explain all of this further than what she already tried? "Aric...I..." she whispered, nearly looking ashamed for trying to push him into something maybe he wasn't ready for.
He wasn't even looking at her now, and that made her heart further sink and her stomach to begin to tie into knots. She wanted to walk away and go crawl into a dark corner to escape this humiliated feeling, but Aric held her there, preventing her escape.
Her lips parted to say something else, but suddenly Aric was pulling her back into his lap, only this time to face him. She adjusted her skirt so her legs could easily straddle his lap and he was drawing her closer to him, pulling her into that hard kiss. She didn't understand, and her emotions were swirling so far out of control. But she kissed him back, her forearms rested on his shoulders as her hands touched the nape of his neck and head, fingers combing through his hair. She whimpered slightly through that kiss, because he was confusing her now, and he was playing with her emotions. Even so, she kissed him deeply, throwing all of those emotions into that kiss, in hope that he'd understand her through that kiss. [d]

[ARIC] Maybe he should have had a bit more control. In a way, he wasn't so certain she knew what she was saying...but that might have simply been his own insecurities. His own worries. Aric didn't like that look on her face and may have been a bit terrified to ever see it again. Despite what she may have been thinking, he was understanding her, though, but that gentlemanly part of him had been fighting it. Until it just stopped. Although that kiss was hard and eager, his hands were slow and steady; fingers running up and down her spine, along her arms, every so often trailing to her thighs. He was taking his time, he was savoring her mouth, taking in everything else about her that he possibly could. When hands rose back up, filtering into that beautiful ebony hair, he broke his lips away to speak once, "You...set the pace..." He'd not advance in any particular direction unless she told him to, even if it killed him. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] Her own fingers explored along his back, shoulders, neck and through his hair as they kissed with that same intensity they had tested each other with several times already. She was leaning into him, allowing herself to become lost in his kiss. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest the harder and deeper that kiss got. So when he broke free from it, her head had suddenly began to swirl in a dizziness. She opened her eyes to look into his as he spoke those words to her. She looked at him with passion and love and placed a kiss on his forehead before whispering against him. "Perhaps we should lock the door?" A smirk curled her lips upward and she let out a small laugh, pressing her lips back into his. [d]

[ARIC] Fucking locks. He couldn't help but chuckle at that, Alexandria not knowing entirely why it was ridiculous and amusing to him currently, more than their own little inside joke...but she was right. It would just mean they would have to move, and he wasn't so sure he wanted to yet. Although he wanted more, he was always satisfied with just her lips. Still, he eventually urged her off of him, managing not to break their lips apart in the process while he stood with her. With only a slight bit of annoyance, he stepped away from her to lock that door with a prominent click in the silence; moving back over to her immediately to pull her back against his chest. He embraced her from behind; one hand drawing that hair of hers to over one shoulder and exposing the side of that lovely neck. He took a second to inhale her scent before feathery kisses trailed from her ear down to her shoulder. He did not let his hands travel anywhere inappropriate, did not try to unlace her dress because every step of the way was on her, whenever she was ready. If this took all night, then, he was up to the task. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] She had almost regretted giving a reason for their kiss to end, but knew she'd regret it more if they were interrupted and denied this, just as they had with trying to just kiss one another. A low whine left her lips as he pulled away from her and walked away to the door to lock it, taking that warmth away from her, even if it were only for a moment. She watched him, waiting for him to come back to her. When he did, he was gathering her from behind, much like he had when he gave her that ring on her finger. She heard him breathe in the scent on her neck, and she couldn't stop the grin that formed on her lips. Her eyes fell shut and she tilted her head to the side to expose more of her neck to him. His lips caused her to shiver as she leaned back against him. She let out a slow and staggered breath as he continued to kiss her skin. Her hands moved to take both of his, interlocking their fingers. [d]

[ARIC] His hands stilled when she interlaced their fingers, and it helped keep his budding desire for her at bay. That didn't mean his lips ceased their gentle onslaught across her skin; his arms tightening around her even more yet careful of her healing wound even through the sudden fog that was filling his head. It made one of his hands move only to carefully rest his palm against the injury; his voice still low and speaking between kisses, "How...have you been feeling...?" It was genuine concern, but there was heavy insinuation even still. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] He was sending shivers up and down her spine as his lips continued along her neck. The silence that lingered between her only lulled her into a relaxed state, despite how badly he was testing her now. His voice nearly startled her as it broke that silence. She leaned her head back, resting against one of his shoulders. "With my wound? Or with how you are making me feel right now?" She smirked slightly, tilting her head slightly so she could look at his face, one of her hands moving to the back of his head so she could steal another brief kiss before she would answer him about her wound, "It's a lot better today, but still a little sore." She pressed her lips to his again, a bit longer this time. [d]

[ARIC] His laugh was a gentle, huffing breath against her neck in response to her words. She knew exactly what he meant, and he was genuinely concerned about it...even if it didn't seem that way entirely. "That is good," he murmured, pausing for a moment because she was kissing him, distracting him and making everything so difficult to ignore. But he managed to stop her; a hand lifting to grasp her chin while his lips spoke against her temple. "Then maybe we should wait..." [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] As he broke free from her kiss and held her chin in his hand, her eyes opened just as his voice pressed against her temple. She slowly turned to face him and looked into his eyes. "I'm fine, Aric.." She looked to him curiously and sighed softly. "Are you not ready for this?" Her fingers moved and played with the folds of his shirt at his chest, her gaze falling to watch her fingers as she fell silent, her stomach starting to feel those knots tightening again. [d]

[ARIC] He was quiet as well when she turned to face him, questioning him. His mind sought for words, to try and decipher all of these thoughts but it was impossible to. "I don't know," he finally said, looking her in the eyes with every ounce of honesty. "Maybe...I'm a little afraid, too." Her alarming rejection, although warranted, had done something to him. It made him, for the briefest of moments, feel like the worst man in the world, that he had forced her into something. It was a look he wasn't soon to forget because it was just further proof of the horrors she had endured. Horrors that he feared he would not ever be able to ease for her. "I don't...want to overstep," he added, a hand lifting to her face to stick a strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't want you to remember those things again." And he knew it was why she wanted to try, but his confidence was beginning to elude him, even while he stood there wanting to taste her mouth, to feel her skin beneath his fingertips. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] Her heart sank once again as he admitted he didn't know and he was afraid--the very thing she didn't want him to fear or worry. She listened to him, her gaze falling away from him. When the silence lingered between them, Alexandria took a couple steps backwards and away from him. She realized this was going to be something that resonated with him and it was indirectly her own fault. She wasn't sure if she should cry or become angry. Not at him, but at the entire situation. Her life, her past. Why was she still suffering from something that happened so long ago? It wasn't fair. She turned her back to him and silently walked away, allowing herself to fall into one of the chairs. Her head hung, hair falling at both sides of her face, shielding her peripheral vision. Aric wasn't listening to her. Or he wasn't trusting her. Or himself. [d]

[ARIC] He should've explained more, but he didn't know how. As she drew away from him, she was taking his heart along with her as he stood there helplessly watching her turn her back on him. Running a hand down his face, this wasn't how he wanted to spend this night. This wasn't how he wanted to leave it before she was to be bound to him for life tomorrow. She probably thought ill of him now. Even still, boots carried him forward slowly until he was kneeling in front of her, but he didn't urge her to look at him, as though he were ashamed to meet her eyes. "I understand you..." he began quietly. "But I also need you to assure me...just as I assure you." Not just at first, every step of the way. He kneeled up a little straighter, taking her face into his hands. "If you want me to kiss you-" A pause, his lips lingering close to her before pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Just tell me. If you want me to touch you, just tell me where..." [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] She heard his footsteps approaching her and felt him as he knelt in front of her. As his voice broke the silence, she listened to him. She hadn't realized that he needed her assurance. In her own frustrations, she had only felt that he wasn't understanding her. Her gaze finally found his as he took her face in his hands and he gave her direction. Finally, they were starting to communicate a little better. She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against his. Her own hands touching his face. "I'm sorry... You're right..." She lifted her chin so her lips could find his again in the gentlest of a kiss before she pulled away and looked at him and whispered. "I just hate that my past... something that has nothing to do with you.. is causing us to struggle. I don't want it to." She shook her head. "I want to let go of it. But I need you...." She paused, looking into his eyes. "Keep your eyes on me.. your voice in my ear... remind me where I am...that I'm safe, that you're here with me... remind me to stay with you..." She lightly pressed her lips against his again, allowing it to linger softly before she pulled away and whispered against his lips. "I love you... I want you to kiss me... to touch me.. Everywhere..." This emotional rollercoaster was so frustrating. [d]

[ARIC] It was just another obstacle they would have to navigate together. And it was a strange one, perhaps even embarrassing in a way, but he was still there with her despite it all. As much as she was beginning to make his blood boil, he'd not been with a woman in quite awhile, let alone one he was worried about hurting in any way. Slowly. They just had to navigate slowly. "Marriage is a struggle," he said gently, confirming it with the smallest of grins. "If it were absolutely perfect, it would be a lie." It wasn't an insult, it was truth. It was healthy to hit bumps in the road, because you learn how to fix and make amends, to better yourself or a situation. Whatever the case may be. As her eyes transfixed on his, murmuring against his mouth further expressing all she had been feeling before, he rose up and took her with him as he claimed her lips in another passionate kiss. He would be forward with this, in the very least, like her lips supplied him with air or the sustenance to survive. Everything else, he'd be slow and careful about. Hands were at her face before falling to her shoulders, gripping them firmly in hesitation before he was turning her around once again. It broke his lips from her own, but he pressed them along her neck once more, a place that was beginning to become his favorite. "I'm right here," he spoke against her skin, urging her face to turn so that she could look at him and he could kiss her again. Fingers moved to unlace that corseted bodice at her back, taking his time and giving her the option to back out if she had to, or slow him down even further. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] She wouldn't know what marriage was like, because she had never been married as Aric had. He would need to guide her through it, or they'd have to learn together about their own marriage and what worked or didn't work. Her eyes stayed on his as he explained that marriage was a struggle. She offered a smile and nodded in understanding.
He was pulling her to her feet again and before she could say anything, he was claiming her lips in another passionate kiss. Everything she had been worrying about seemed to start melting away, and she returned that kiss with a heated desire, as if he, too, was providing her with the air she needed. But then that kiss was separated and it was as if he pulled the very breath from her lungs. Her body shuddered as his lips touched her neck. He seemed to enjoy doing that, and she wouldn't complain. Though that scent from Cassandra might drive him a little more crazy the longer he spent at her neck and chest. She let out a sigh of pleasure from the breath his voice created as he spoke against her skin, assuring her that he was there with her. She tilted her head so that she could reach his lips again, her hand moving to the back of his head, fingers filtering through his hair as they continued that passionate kiss he had started moments before. She could feel her corseted bodice loosen around her torso as he started to unlace it. She sighed into that kiss, her heart began to pound in her chest. [d]

[ARIC] Still, that kiss was hard and ravenous, but it took every ounce of his will to keep his hands steady, blindly trying to undo the laces. Eventually, that corset was able to be pulled free and he let it drop to the floor. She was still covered and he seemed fully absorbed in his task of kissing her. Maybe it was even distracting him from everything else. One of his arms snaked around her waist, molding her back against him; his other gently traveling down the length of her arm that had fingers filtering into his hair before it settled upon her hip. But that was as far as he would go until she directed him, in one or another. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] She felt his arm move around her waist, pulling her closer against him. His body against her back, his arm around her waist, made her feel safe and warm. But that kiss, the kiss she never wanted to break free from, was what made her heart beat wildly in her chest and made her blood burn through her body. She leaned against him, resting the back of her head against his shoulder, still hesitant to break that ravenous kiss. Fingers curled into his hair as she pulled his face closer to her own to deepen that kiss, (if that was even possible). Her other hand moved to meet his on her hip, fingers interlocking with his. She squeezed his hand before she slowly urged his hand up her frame to rest on one of her breasts. She'd let go of his hand then, hers travelling up his arm before she rested it on his upper arm. [d]

[ARIC] Guidance, that go ahead was all he needed. She was letting him know that she was alright, that his hands could wander a little more. That hand cupped her breast, kneading it gently, the other pressing against the flat of her stomach to keep her secured there still. Now, that kiss was just a little bit slower, more languid to match the movement of his hand that traveled from her stomach to a shoulder, ever so slowly pulling down on the strap of her dress. That kiss broke so that his heated words could sear the skin of her neck. "I love you, Alexandria..." And he'd tell her over and over again. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] His hands made her heart beat faster in her chest. As that kiss slowed down, she was able to catch her breath through her nose, but he was slowly pulling down the strap of her dress, exposing her shoulder, and that kiss finally broke. His breath on her neck made her gasp slightly, and his words made her stomach flutter. Her lips formed a smile and she slowly pulled away from him, only so she could turn to face him now. She placed a hand on his cheek and looked up at him, staring lovingly into his eyes. "I love you, Aric..." She responded with a whisper. Her hand dropped from his face and both her hands moved to his chest where she slowly began to unbutton his shirt. Her eyes remaining on his face though, particularly his lips. She was suffocating without them. Her fingers moved down the column of buttons until his shirt fell open, exposing his bare chest. Gaze dropped to look at him admiring the definition of his body, fingers tracing the lines of his chest, until she moved back to his shoulders and pushed the shirt down and off his arms. [d]

[ARIC] For the briefest of moments, he thought she was getting nervous when she pulled away. He couldn't help but let his mind instantly go there, even if it was for a second...but the worry was short-lived as he saw that smile; her hand at his cheek, those sapphire eyes looking at him. His dark ones only flickered downward to watch her fingers make work of his shirt before they rose back to her face, never wavering. Even after he shrugged the rest of the way out of that shirt and tossed it aside, his eyes never removed themselves from her face. A thumb brushed along her chin in admiration of her before fingers dropped to her other shoulder to gently pull the second strap down. But again, no further than that. He was being careful and taking his time, even if his heart was thundering inside his chest. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] Her eyes slowly wandered around his torso, taking in every inch of his body. It had been the first time she'd see him without a shirt on, and she was a bit flustered by him. All those muscles... Her fingers continued to trace along the lines of his body, her eyes finally lifting to find his again. Would it be strange for her to call him beautiful? Because he was taking her breath away again. Her own eyes looked back at him with that same admiration he held in his own eyes when he looked at her. As that other strap of her dress was pulled down, she move her arms out of the sleeves, but the dress remained held up by her chest. Alexandria's gaze remained on Aric, her hand once again reaching to touch his face which caused her dress to slightly slip down, though still not enough to expose her. She leaned into him and pressed her lips to his as if she would stop breathing if he did not return her kiss. Perhaps that kiss would tell him just how much she desired and admired him.
As she kissed him, she moved her hands back to explore his chest, only causing that kiss to become more ravenous. [d]

[ARIC] He didn't move. He stood there and watched her in his silence while the gentle flutters of her fingers sent goosebumps across his skin. She would be quick to realize that she wasn't the only one riddled with scars. "We're not so different..." he murmured, his own fingers hovering over the newer wound at her side, still concealed beneath her dress. He had one in a similar place from the shipwreck. A tilt of his head, he leaned into her touch, perhaps the only second he let his gaze waver from her face this entire time as his lids slowly closed. But he was fully awake again when she began to kiss him. Immediately returning it, both his hands filtered into her hair as he poured himself into the task, his tongue demanding entry into the sweet cavern of her mouth. He wanted to let his hands wander, to remove her dress completely but he refrained; only allowing one to drift to her back and pull her closer against him. [d]

[ALEXANDRIA] Perhaps they weren't so different. Though she was sure most of his scars were from the hardships of war, he had not told her otherwise, but maybe she would ask him where each of them came from. They could compare scars and share the stories of where all of them came from.
Her lips would part to allow his tongue to find her own. She poured all of her emotions into that kiss as she pressed her body against his when he pulled her closer, her hands remained on his chest, fingers pressing hard into his flesh. [d]

[ARIC] Even if his blood boiled and his body wanted to move faster, he still took his time just savoring this kiss, kneading fingers along her spine and never traveling anywhere else. She needed to continue to know where she was, that he was there with her and would be quite alright simply holding her there for the rest of the night. After a long moment, however, his hand subtly hooked into the neckline of that dress in quiet question, waiting for her okay, even if it wound up being minutes later. He didn't care, because he would wait forever. [d]

***

[ALEXANDRIA] She looked back up at him as he admired her, one of her hands moving to touch his face and she looked lovingly into his eyes. When he rolled off of her and onto his side, she instantly curled up against him, pressing her lips to his in a quick, gentle and loving kiss, not wanting to take his breath away as he was still trying to catch his breath. She looked at him lovingly and smiled softly. "Aric?" She placed her hand on his face again and gently caressed his cheek with her thumb. "Thank you for helping me through that..." She wasn't really sure any other man would have done that for her, had remained strong enough to withstand so long. She stared at him, her heart still pounding in her chest, her breath still fighting to catch up with her. Why did she feel so much more emotionally connected with him now? He was her life., her soul. [d]



[ARIC] Struggling for breath, his eyes half closed, he felt her move closer to him; his lips lazily returning her kiss before a corner of his mouth curled up onto a crooked smile. At her touch and her words, he forced himself to stay awake and not succumb to sleep already. But it would certainly be difficult. He laughed lowly, draping an arm over her waist as he leaned his face in to rest his forehead against hers. "Thank you..." There was light insinuation there, but he understood her true meaning, kissing the tip of her nose in reply. "I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy." [d]



[ALEXANDRIA] She smirked, laughing slightly as he thanked her. Her eyes never leaving his. She took his hand in hers and squeezed it, interlacing her fingers with his. I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy. She grinned, rolling slightly so half her body was on his, and she looked down at him, kissing his face and then his neck. "You already make me very happy." She nibbled on his ear softly and kissed his jawline before laughing. "I see I have completely exhausted you..." She grinned leaning in to kiss him gently. Her fingers moved to brush through his hair as she now stared down at him admiringly. "Are we really getting married tomorrow?" [d]



[ARIC] He hadn't expected to be so tired, but all of that pent up energy and emotion building up to come to a sudden halt took more out of him than he thought. And he was just very comfortable lying there now, her warmth curled up against him. He chuckled at her comment. "I'm just...taking a quick rest." He might very well fall asleep quickly if she kept combing fingers through his hair, though. Eyes opened a little more to regard her, looking inquisitive. "Hm, I'm not sure," he joked. "I might have to rethink this." That arm secured around her a little more, lest she try to move away from him and his lame tease. [d]



[ALEXANDRIA] At his joking comment, Alexandria gasped and nudged him in his rib. "What was all that I don't need tomorrow to make a vow, because I am already whole-heartedly yours. comment about, then?" She laughed as he pulled her tightly against him so she couldn't move away. "Was that just a heat of the moment thing, then?" She grinned, kissing his lip quickly. But that smile was soon to fade and a more serious expression took over her face as she looked at him. "You really are everything to me..." She whispered, her fingers brushing across his cheek as she looked into his eyes lovingly. [d]



[ARIC] He feigned being hurt by that nudge to his ribs, but it all just elicited more laughter from him. "I just wanted to get you into bed," he replied, his hand wandering to grip that shapely rear. Aric was so tired that it was way too obvious how much he was kidding. But when the air grew serious, so did he... though, he was smiling softly once more from her words. "You're even more so to me." Leaning down, he kissed her gently and lovingly. [d]



[ALEXANDRIA] She was laughing at him as he jokingly admitted he just wanted to get her into bed. "Then maybe it is I who should reconsider this whole marriage..." She pressed her hips against him as he gripped her rear.

At his seriousness, mirroring her own sentiment, she grinned, kissing him back, allowing that kiss to linger for a while before she reluctantly separated their lips and looked at him lovingly. "Get some sleep, we are going to have a busy day tomorrow," She whispered before she laid down next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. [d]



[ARIC] He had feared the night before the wedding a long time ago. He had feared what she may have thought, how much she might possibly resent him for simply being there. He had expected to see anger or hatred...but after all of these months, it was anything but that. There was love and warmth in her bright eyes, a smile on her face because he helped put it there. It was everything he had never expected, and now realized how lost he would be without. He poured this all into that lingering kiss before she was curling up against him and telling him to sleep. He should- they both should- but he was savoring this quiet moment for a few minutes longer, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I can't wait," he murmured half awake before his eyes closed and he was drifting off to sleep. [d]